LOGISTICALLY speaking Imaging Informatics Navy PACS Office
IHE integration profiles support: A key factor in PACS (Continued from page 10)
a framework for interoperability. Because of its proven process of collaboration, demonstration and real-world implementation of interoperable solutions, IHE is in a position to significantly accelerate the process for defining, testing and implementing standards-based interoperability among EHR systems. Instead of creating new standards, IHE drives the adoption of existing standards to address specific clinical needs. This is accomplished by using IHE Integration Profiles. These profiles provide precise guidance on how standards are to be used to address clinical needs, eliminate ambiguities, reduce configuration and interfacing costs, and ensure practical interoperability. Before the IHE initiative, there was no agreed upon method for the various systems utilized within radiology to work together to manage patient care situations. Now, there are IHE Radiology Integration profiles that can be used to ensure interoperability among the various systems. To ensure that every PACS deployed at Navy MTFs are able to support the IHE initiative, the Imaging Informatics Division of NMLC requires a vendor to demonstrate which IHE Radiology and IT integration profiles are supported by their system when they respond to requests for proposals. This ensures that the system selected can easily integrate with other systems within the MTF allowing healthcare providers easier access to the patient information that they need in order to provide the highest quality of care. In the current environment, where interoperability between different systems within the healthcare enterprise is paramount, the Imaging Informatics Division is making sure that the Navy PACS program is in line with the IHE initiative, resulting in unparalleled patient care delivered to our customers.
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